217Haiku 俳句
初しぐれ猿も小蓑をほしげ也
はつしぐれさるもこみのをほしげなりHatsushigure saru mo komino o hoshige nari
“First winter rain — the monkey too seems to wish for a little straw coat.”
The meaning
Under the winter shower, the traveler lends his own longing for shelter to the soaked monkey. Compassion begins there: recognizing in another what you feel yourself.
At the origin
The opening haiku of the Sarumino collection ("The Monkey's Raincoat", 1691).
The characters
- 初しぐれ hatsushigurefirst winter rain
- 猿 sarumonkey
- も motoo, also
- 小蓑
- を
- ほしげ
- 也
もParticle“Also, even”: adds or strengthens.
In practice
What you lack today, someone near you lacks as well: see it.
Themes
Similar proverbs
- 164 雀の子そこのけそこのけお馬が通る Little sparrows, make way, make way! The horse is passing.
- 165 朝顔に釣瓶とられてもらい水 A morning glory has claimed my well bucket — I beg water next door.
- 181 秋深き隣は何をする人ぞ Deep autumn — my neighbor, how does he live?
- 010 猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees.
- 015 初心忘るべからず Never forget the beginner's spirit.